Juniper Launches QFabric Networking Platform to Compete With Cisco

Juniper Networks is rolling out a new networking platform executives

say will simplify the data center infrastructure, driving up

throughput, scalability and efficiency while reducing latency,

operating costs and the number of devices required for a networking

architecture.

During a Webcast event from San Francisco Feb. 23,

Juniper executives unveiled their QFabric architecture, a $100 million

initiative formerly called “Project Stratus”

that was launched after three years of development. The goal of the

project is to collapse the data center networking infrastructure from

the traditional two or three layers down to one, a move that will

enable enterprises and midsize businesses handle the demands created by

the onset of cloud computing and the growth of the mobile Internet.

“As these trends accelerate, its creates

exponential demand, and it’s that exponential demand that requires a

new approach,” Juniper CEO Kevin Johnson said during the event.

QFabric also gives Juniper a higher profile in the

highly competitive data center networking space, a market still

dominated by Cisco Systems, but with a cadre of rivals trying to grab a

larger share. Juniper still needs to continue to build on its

initiative, but the QFabric push is a strong step, according to

Forrester Research analyst Andre Kindness.

For more, read the eWeek article: Juniper Takes Aim at Cisco with QFabric Networking Strategy.